Pure Joy: 7 Devotions in the Book of JamesSample

Who Can Fathom!

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. JAMES 1:5 ESV

Wisdom almost seems to have an unreachable quality to it, doesn’t it? So, how do we even know when we possess this attribute? Well, wisdom might be easier to understand when we look at the opposite of wisdom—foolishness. Some people act foolishly because they lack knowledge, and yet they charge forward relentlessly, driven by their unwavering confidence in their instincts. While it’s easy for us to say “we’d never do that,” if we’re honest with ourselves, we’d probably admit that we’ve found ourselves making foolish choices before.

Okay, so how does one acquire this valuable character trait called wisdom? Amazingly, God says to just ask for it. Really? Just like that? Yes, and He’ll give wisdom to us generously. A fine example of this is when King Solomon—even as a boy—asked for wisdom, and God was very pleased to be asked.

“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern Your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. . . . So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing My people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame!” (I Kings 3:9–13 NLT)

This seems so excessively, wonderfully over the top, and yet—who can fathom the generosity of God?

Lord, I love it that You are such a lavish Giver. I do desire Your divine wisdom in all things. Amen.